bereft

Summary

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: "Bereft" (June 30, 2026)

Overview

In this episode, Merriam-Webster’s expert lexicographer Peter Sokolowski explores the word “bereft.” He explains its meanings, linguistic origins, use in literature, and provides illustrative examples. The episode aims to enrich listeners' vocabulary by delving into both the definition and the history behind “bereft.”

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Basic Usage

[00:43]

• Bereft is spelled B-E-R-E-F-T.
• It is an adjective.
• Two primary senses:
  • To be deprived or robbed of something.
  • To lack something needed, wanted, or expected.
• “Bereft” is closely tied to “bereaved,” sometimes used as a synonym.

2. Example in Modern Context

[00:43]

• Sample sentence from the Daily Gazette of Schenectady:
  • “This morning when I was going out to play in the gardens, I went to put on my favorite baseball cap. Since the sun was hot and being bereft of my own natural covering, I wished to avoid a sun scorched scalp.”

3. Etymology and Historical Roots

[01:10]

• Old English root:
  • The verb beraphian meant “to deprive of something.”
  • Modern descendant: bereave, a verb used when someone has been deprived of something, often suddenly or by force.
• Bereft is the past participle of “bereave.”

4. Literary Examples

• William Shakespeare’s Usage:
  • The Merchant of Venice:
    • Bassanio says to Portia, “Madam, you have bereft me of all words.” [01:41]
  • The Taming of the Shrew:
    • Catharina proclaims, “A woman moved is like a fountain, troubled, muddy, thick, bereft of beauty.” [01:57]

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Definition Clarity:

  • “To be bereft is to be deprived or robbed of something, or to lack something that you need, want, or expect.”
    — Peter Sokolowski [00:44]

• Link to Bereave:

  • “Bereft comes from the past participle of ‘bereave.’”
    — Peter Sokolowski [01:15]

• Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice:

  • “Madam, you have bereft me of all words.”
    — Bassanio, cited by Peter Sokolowski [01:41]

• Shakespeare in The Taming of the Shrew:

  • “A woman moved is like a fountain, troubled, muddy, thick, bereft of beauty.”
    — Catharina, cited by Peter Sokolowski [01:57]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:43 — Introduction of “bereft,” spelling, and definition
• 00:55 — Contemporary usage example from a newspaper
• 01:10 — Etymology and connection to “bereave”
• 01:41 — Shakespeare’s example from Merchant of Venice
• 01:57 — Shakespeare’s example from The Taming of the Shrew
• 02:20 — Closing and invitation to visit Merriam-Webster’s website

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Tone and Speaker Attribution

Throughout the episode, Peter Sokolowski uses a scholarly yet approachable tone, weaving in contemporary and literary references to make the meaning and richness of “bereft” accessible and memorable for listeners.

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Conclusion

The episode provides a concise but comprehensive look at “bereft,” contextualizing its meaning with current and classic examples. Listeners leave with not only a clear understanding of the word but also a deeper appreciation for its origins and literary significance.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

today's word is bereft. Spelled B E R E F T. Bereft is an adjective. To be bereft is to be deprived or robbed of something, or to lack something that you need, want, or expect. Bereft is also used as a synonym of the word bereaved. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Daily Gazette of Schenectady this morning when I was going out to play in the gardens, I went to put on my favorite baseball cap. Since the sun was hot and being bereft of my own natural covering, I wished to avoid a sun scorched scalp. In Old English, the verb beraphian meant to deprive of something. The modern equivalent and descendant of Baratheon is bereave, a verb used to say that one has deprived or stripped someone of something, often suddenly and unexpectedly, and sometimes by force. Bereft comes from the past participle of bereave. Shakespeare uses the participle in the Merchant of Venice when Bassanio tells Portia, madam, you have bereft me of all words. But by Shakespeare's day, bereft was also being used as an adjective. The Bard uses it in the Taming of the Shrew as a newly obedient and docile Catharina declares, a woman moved is like a fountain, troubled, muddy, thick, bereft of beauty. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[C]

Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending. Word lookup.